Chapter 01

It's ironic really, after six years; they finally decided to notice him especially when he made his mind up about leaving Fire Country. At first, he suspected that his mind was playing tricks on him, who wouldn't assume that after six years of being ignored for his sister? He was tempted on drinking himself into oblivion though he knew Iruka would reprimand him for underaged drinking like the mother hen that he is.

It all started when Hanabi blackmailed him into go shopping for the basic groceries; milk, flour, eggs, bread, etc (and of course her favourite junk foods), she claimed that he had nothing to snack on or to make a decent meal with – he didn't need to shop for fruits, vegetables, or meat. He had an impressive and expansive garden he started when he was around five with the help of his loved ones namely the females in his life; Mikoto, Hinata, Itachi, Ayame, and Hanabi. The majority of the meat was given to him by the Uchiha family since he refused to stay with him; he felt as if he would be imposing even though he still saw them as family and vice versa. The rest he hunted for, using as much as the animal as he could, which he taught himself through trial and error while also taking the few pointers that came from the travelling merchants outside of Konoha. Mikoto, Ayame, Teuchi, and Itachi were also kind enough to teach him to cook what he harvested and hunted.

They were on the way out when a voice stopped them, "Oh, Hanabi-chan, Naruto-kun, I've been wondering why I haven't seen you around the house in a few days," is she serious, it's already been three months since the announcement, Hanabi's small hands turned into fists "What do you want for dinner? We're just grabbing a few things for the house. And-"

"I haven't been to your house in months, Lady Namikaze-san," he ignored the astonished looks on his former mother's and sister's faces, a smile was threatening to split Hanabi's face "We really must be getting back to my house, if you don't mind." Naruto gave the shocked pair a deep bow before turning his heel and strutting off with Hanabi following closely behind him, loving the bewildered looks on her crush's former family's face. They were near the forest when Naruki grabbed his arm forcefully.

"Hey! Let go of him, you can't just grab people whenever you feel like it!" Hanabi shouted, prying Naruki's hand from his wrist. Kushina was taken aback by Hanabi's attitude, sure the younger Hyuuga twin was more outspoken but she was never this rude, the mother frowned at that, she shouldn't be corrupted her Naruto with her attitude.

"What are you talking about, brother?" Completely ignoring the Hyuuga's presence, "It's your house, you're a part of the family," Naruki frowned; she couldn't understand why Naruto was being so distant and allusive towards them.

"Don't ignore Nana-chan as if she isn't standing in front of you," the glare he directed towards her sent chills down her spine, "We're family?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, "How is that possible when you and Hokage-san banished me from the family when you announced Naruki as heir to both clans when it's my birthright?" Kushina's face paled in realization as Naruki's mouth dropped as if she didn't know about Konoha's Clan Laws (KCL), "Or keeping me from becoming a shinobi when it's what I've begged you to train me for since I was a child?" Kushina shook her head in denial, tears were starting to gather in the corner of her eyes, "Or how about when my supposed family, you, godparents included mind you, hell the majority of the village, ignored my existence? Do you know my hobbies, my likes and dislikes, perhaps my favourite color?" He stated in a matter-of-fact tone, his voice held no trace of mockery or hatred, only curiosity. He wasn't getting a sick satisfaction from this, no, he truly wanted to know the answers to his questions.

"We've never ignored you!" His former sister denied, furiously shaking her head, "we're good people, we would never do something like that especially to family! Right, mom?" Daughter gave mother a pleading expression but what could Kushina say? Every bit of it was true. Hanabi stepped closer to Naruto, showing him that she was there if he needed her. When Kushina collapsed on her knees in front of Naruto was when Naruki realized, everything he said was true, the painful realization of it was too much to comprehend as she stared at her broken family. She didn't even realize that she dropped her father's kunai who instantly appeared by their side.

"Shina-chan? What's wrong? Are you ok?" Minato frantically fired off question after question, gathering his wife and daughter into his arms but they didn't notice him, their eyes were trained on the other blonde. Minato wisely followed their gaze to see his son staring at them with an impassive look on his face which seemed entirely too mature on a six-year old. He vaguely noticed the small Hyuuga next to him, pale eyes digging into his soul.

"Naruto." His son's name sounded strange coming from his lips after so long.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, brother! Please!" Naruki reached out to touch him; she had to make it up to him in some way but she chocked back a sob when Naruto stepped back from them and Hanabi's glare intensified. Minato was confused, what had Naruki done? Why was Kushina crying as if someone they've known had died? Why did his eldest and only son look at them in such a way? As if they were strangers.

"You hate us don't you?" Kushina whispered, tearfully looking into her handsome son's cerulean eyes, "You hate us for neglecting you! For not loving you like we should!" Her delicate hands pressed against her eyes, trying to hide the tears from her son's piercings eyes, she felt as though she didn't deserve to look at him. Naruto was tempted to just turn heel and walk away but he figured they needed closure of some kind.

Minato's mind reeled at the accusations half-heartedly denying them but his mind and heart had other plans. He couldn't remember the last time he said Naruto's name much less smiled at him. He couldn't remember teaching his son some of the basics of Taijutsu or quizzing him on his studies. He couldn't remember the last time it was just the two of them, hanging out and pigging out on junk food or complaining about the women in their lives. It was simple; they never did any of those things.

"No," the simple word had the family looking up in shock and disbelief, "not anyone, I did hate you, all of you," the three of them flinched, Hanabi fought back a smug smirk, "but I realized why should I care about you when you don't care about me…?" Naruto trailed off as if he was in a trance, looking back on old memories, "So, like you did when I was ousted from the Clan, your family, I also decided to rid myself of unnecessary people in my life, you." With those words Naruto and Hanabi vanished from their sight along with their chakra signatures. The family of three were left in their own sorrow and self-loathing.

. . .

She knew what he was thinking, she could always tell. He was motionless, his eyes were in another place faraway, his body was tense and his posture rigid.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" The words weren't accusing him of anything merely stating the fact.

"Yes, now that we've realized what they've done," Naruto ran a hand through his hair, a telltale sign of his discomfort, "they'll do whatever they can to try to make amends but I don't want or need their pity," he trailed off, "I thought I could handle it, you know? Seeing them again as if everything's all peachy but… it still hurts. Not as bad as before but I still." Naruto choked back a sob and forced himself to exhale deeply though his eyes were a bit moist. Despite being as aloof as he appears, he was still a six-year old child who craved for his family's love and acknowledgement.

The only thing running through Hanabi's mind was that she was loosing her friend, her best friend, and secret crush. Who knows when they'll be able to see each other again, if they ever will.

"No! Please, Naruto! I get it, I really do." Hanabi squeezed back tears but they fell relentlessly, Naruto's heart dropped at the tears, "I don't want you to go. I'll miss you too much. We'll figure this out. There has to be another way, maybe dad could-" She broke mid-sentence as another sob racked her body, her fragile hands, bunched in his shirt.

A gentle kiss was planted on her forehead and lingered, "I'm sorry, Nana-chan. I was planning on doing this a little later but," he hugged her small frame against his body, "I need to do this but don't worry, I will come back in six years I promise. I never go back on my word - that's my ninja way; I hope you and the others will forgive me." Before she could answer, Naruto struck the pressure point in her neck and she was out like a light.

With Hanabi safely in her bedroom, Naruto left his true family each a letter explaining his actions and a gift for each of them that he bought or crafted himself. He was lucky, no one noticed or stopped him; Teuchi and Ayame were too busy tending to the lunch hour rush, Hinata was practicing the Gentle Fist under Hiashi's watchful eye, Shikamaru was getting lectured by Yoshino about being more motivated, Itachi was currently on a mission, Mikoto and Fugaku were teaching Sasuke a basic Taijutsu, Iruka was lecturing the next batch of genin at the Academy, and his adopted siblings were doing what babies do best; crying, eating, pooping, and being destructive.

He really wanted to stay, but he knew he couldn't.

Minato and Kushina would never allow him to be a ninja due to what is inside of him and he wouldn't be able to travel the World with Naruki being trained to be his warden. He didn't want to live such a meaningless and solitary life.

He doubled checked, tripled check, all of his supplies. He had enough to last him for a while plus he knew he could live off the land if needed. Naruto took a deep breath.

This was it; there was no turning back at this point.

Walk! You have to move! This is your chance to become someone! To protect the people you care about! That's what you wanted, right! So, move!

He took a step out of the gates, then another and another before he started to run, never looking back.